Search results

"What's the matter with you, young man?"

"Wood-house!" cried I, "which way to it? Run for God's sake, and fetch something to pry open the door -- the axe! -- the axe! -- he's had a stroke; depend upon it!" -- and so saying I was unmethodically rushing upstairs again empty-handed, when Mrs. Hussey interposed the mustard-pot and...

Mrs. Hussey soon appeared, with a mustard-pot in one hand and a vinegar-cruet in the other, having just broken away from the occupation of attending to the castors,* and scolding her little black boy meantime. *Bottles for holding condiments.

"La! la!" she cried, "I thought something must be the matter. I went to make the bed after breakfast, and the door was locked; and not a mouse to be heard; and it's been just so silent ever since. But I thought, may be, you had both gone off and locked your baggage in for safe-keeping. La! la...

Running downstairs, I quickly stated my suspicions to the first person I met -- the chambermaid.

I tried to burst open the door; but it stubbornly resisted.

Apoplexy!

Something must have happened.

"Queequeg! -- Queequeg!" -- all still.

That's strange, thought I; but at any rate, since the harpoon stands yonder, and he seldom or never goes abroad without it, therefore he must be inside here, and no possible mistake.

I was surprised to behold resting against the wall the wooden shaft of Queequeg's harpoon, which the landlady the evening previous had taken from him, before our mounting to the chamber.

I could only see part of the foot-board of the bed and a line of the wall, but nothing more.

I looked through the keyhole; but the door opening into an odd corner of the room, the keyhole prospect was but a crooked and sinister one.

I had allowed him such abundant time; I thought he might have had an apoplectic fit.

I began to grow alarmed.

But all remained still as before.

"I say, Queequeg! why don't you speak? It's I -- Ishmael."

"Queequeg," said I softly through the key-hole: -- all silent.

I tried to open it, but it was fastened inside.

Towards evening, when I felt assured that all his performances and rituals must be over, I went up to his room and knocked at the door; but no answer.